How far is Sanford, NC from Burlington, NC?
The driving distance from Sanford, NC to Burlington, NC is about 50.3 miles (81 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 44.9 miles (72.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 04m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sanford and Burlington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanford and Burlington.
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1
Start on South Horner Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Horner Boulevard
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2
Take the ramp left
724 ft · 18 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Jefferson Davis Highway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Jefferson Davis Highway
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4
Take the exit slight right toward US 15, US 501, NC 87: Pittsboro, Chapel Hill
973 ft · 24 sec
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5
Keep slight left
40 m · 3 sec
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Hawkins Avenue
21 m · 1 sec · Hawkins Avenue
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Hawkins Avenue
836 ft · 15 sec · Hawkins Avenue
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Hawkins Avenue
58 m · 3 sec · Hawkins Avenue
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Hawkins Avenue
12.8 mi · 18 min · Hawkins Avenue
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10
Turn left onto NC 87 Bypass
2984 ft · 57 sec · NC 87 Bypass
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11
Continue on NC 902
664 ft · 17 sec · NC 902
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12
Turn left onto Old Goldston Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Old Goldston Road
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13
Turn left onto NC 902
922 ft · 25 sec · NC 902
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14
Continue on NC 87 North
1270 ft · 29 sec · NC 87 North
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward NC 87 North
46 m · 2 sec · NC 87 North
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16
Exit the roundabout onto NC 87 North
14.6 mi · 20 min · NC 87 North
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17
Continue straight
13.3 mi · 21 min
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto Southeast Court Square
111 m · 9 sec · Southeast Court Square
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19
Turn right onto North Main Street
119 m · 24 sec · North Main Street
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20
Turn left onto West Harden Street
2601 ft · 35 sec · West Harden Street
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21
Take the exit straight
2.3 mi · 3 min
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22
Turn left onto South Worth Street
116 m · 22 sec · South Worth Street
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23
Turn right onto West Front Street
137 m · 23 sec · West Front Street
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24
Turn right onto South Church Street
51 m · 4 sec · South Church Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Church Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sanford and Burlington.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
NC 87 North
Exit the roundabout onto NC 87 North
14.6 mi · 00h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Sanford and Chance Rain Showers near Burlington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sanford to Burlington?
The road trip is about 50.3 miles (81 km) and usually takes 01h 04m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pittsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.9 miles from Sanford and 25.5 miles from Burlington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.9 miles (72.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.05 one way or $14.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Sanford and Chance Rain Showers near Burlington.
Stop Ideas Near Pittsboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall Burger and Beer
Carrboro Town Hall
The Town Hall Grill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pittsboro.
Cary
Durham
North Carolina State Fair station
Burlington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sanford and Burlington. Straight-line distance: 44.93 mi (72.31 km).
#1 Sanford
City in Lee County, North Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 30,361 |
| Coordinates | 35.4798800, -79.1803000 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Burlington
The most populous city in Alamance County, North Carolina.
| Population | 55,599 |
| Coordinates | 36.0956900, -79.4378000 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Church Street (-79.437732, 36.095621)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 81 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $7.05 | $14.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $7.88 | $15.77 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $8.50 | $17.01 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $10.01 | $20.02 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in North Carolina · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.